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The Trust for Public Land Renews its Commitment to Land for People with Announcement of New President and CEO

Everyone Deserves a Quality Park Within a 10-minute Walk from Home

January 25, 2018

San Francisco

Video of The Trust for Public Land announces new President and CEO

The National Board of Directors of The Trust for Public Land is thrilled to announce that Diane Regas, currently the Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund, will become The Trust for Public Land’s President and CEO, effective March 12th. In doing so, The Trust for Public Land renews its commitment to ensuring that parks and natural areas are accessible to every single person in America.

“I can’t think of a more passionate leader than Diane Regas to blaze the path forward in ensuring all people can enjoy our public lands,” said Thomas S. Reeve, Chair of the National Board of Directors of The Trust for Public Land. “We’re at a time of enormous potential in providing equal access to parks and public lands, and Diane’s inclusive and laser-focused approach to problem-solving will help The Trust for Public Land’s innovative team seize these opportunities in the years ahead.”

“I am deeply inspired by the team and results at The Trust for Public Land,” said Diane Regas, incoming President and CEO of The Trust for Public Land. “Millions of Americans live within a 10-minute walk of a park or natural space created and protected by The Trust for Public Land, and I can’t wait to make that a reality for millions more.”

As a lifelong conservation and environmental advocate, Diane Regas has an extraordinary record of success throughout her career as an executive in government and in the non-profit sector. She is currently the Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). There, she worked across all parts of the organization to develop their strategic plans, promoted EDF’s growth in diversity and inclusion and developed an ambitious new strategy to address climate change. As a leader at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under both Democratic and Republican administrations, Diane served as the top civil servant protecting our nation’s water, rivers, lakes and bays.

"I'd like to share my deepest thanks to Diane for her extraordinary service of more than a decade, and hearty congratulations to The Trust for Public Land for choosing such an exceptional leader," said EDF President Fred Krupp. "Diane has a rare ability to bring together diverse groups and help them construct, from their own experiences, an ambitious vision. What’s even more important is that she not only can lead the development of a winning strategy, but also has the experience to make sure that its execution is top notch. I have no doubt that The Trust for Public Land will benefit from her enormous talents, and I wish her the best of luck."

Diane Regas earned her A.B., M.S. (Energy and Resources) and J.D. at the University of California, Berkeley and resides in Berkeley, CA. Diane is a passionate lover of the outdoors, and plans her vacations around outdoor experiences and sharing them with her husband, 2 ½ year-old granddaughter, and children.

"National change starts in our communities,” said Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the EPA under President Obama. “Diane’s proven track record and inclusive vision will help communities create vibrant outdoor experiences for millions of people."

"Diane will be an immediate asset to The Trust for Public Land,” said Antha Williams, director of Bloomberg Philanthropies environmental programs. “She is gifted at creating a vision, building and sustaining smart partnerships and implementing practical solutions that improve people’s lives. Diane will make an incredible contribution to Trust for Public Land’s mission to create parks and protect land for people.”

“Our search committee has made a terrific selection,” said Will Rogers, current President and CEO of The Trust for Public Land. “I’m confident Diane is the right leader to lead The Trust for Public Land into the future.”

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Working from more than 30 offices nationwide, The Trust for Public Land helps communities raise funds, conduct research and planning, acquire and protect land, and design and renovate parks, playgrounds, trails, and gardens.